Hormones alone can trigger the roller coaster of emotions and sensations, but throw in the overwhelming pressure of keeping a new human alive and we can face a dark and lonely predicament. Motherhood is unfamiliar territory even when we’ve done it before. There is a NEW one, a NEW relationship to embrace and surrender ourselves to. No amount of “playing house” or other people’s insights could prepare us for the changes we face. For all the research, all the potential support, all the suggestions of others, many mothers are still facing a depression that challenges their own well-being as well as the well-being of their families. Depression can cost our ability to live well, to function from a place of present Love and it compromises our health…as individuals and as a collective Body.

Many mothers I’ve supported have experienced depression as the result of overwhelm. Life is a LOT. We live in potentially the MOST overwhelming time in history. We’re faced with a more toxic load (physical, energetic and emotional) than ever before and trying to keep so many plates spinning. Through media, we’re holding knowledge that is potentially more than is “ours to carry” ...though some of what we hold may be what we really are called to grow with; information we're given, making informed choices for ourselves and our children.​Mothers worry for the safety of their family; be it physical, chemical, nutritional, or emotional. The threats are all around us, it’s our “job to notice them”; others certainly don't hesitate to remind us of all things we “should do” or “should not do” to keep our kids safe. In fact, many of our friends are “right”, each for THEIR FAMILIES. Add to the mix that having opposing opinions confusing us and we're again, increasing the overwhelm.

Regarding worry, my encouragement is to imagine shifting the wording when you can. Instead of “I’m worried about…” what if you expressed or thought “I care deeply about…”? Does this engage your thoughts differently? I wonder how you express your caring. Maybe there is research to be done? Maybe you need some teammates in your processes? Prioritizing and having strategy for how you express what YOU CARE ABOUT is a far more powerful experience than worrying about those issues.

What I’ve witnessed as mothers grow to become more familiar with who they are as healthy, well-functioning women, is a clearer direction for choices as they work toward that vision. Not an airy fairy picture, not a picture that is created by who others think they know who she “should be”, but really becoming interested in and getting clear about who the woman is at her best, choosing from HER VALUES and what is important for HER FAMILY. We make choices that are outside those margins, we’re human…yet many don’t have a grid to even guide them. Mothers can quickly tell me who they are when they’re NOT well, not speaking, behaving and acting as their best self. It takes only a little time and energy to explore who you desire to be rather than give energy and attention to what’s “wrong”.

If you knew who you are at your best, what would you see? How would you feel, speak, behave, relate, sleep, move, play, eat, etc? If you saw yourself at your highest potential, would you, could you recognize her? She exists…in you. Especially on those darker days, that vision can guide you. It may be overwhelming to imagine a woman “so far” from what you are currently experiencing; have hope because there are strategies to shrink that feeling to a more manageable and attainable picture.

We learn relative to what we know ...and you know a lot. Connecting to what is is the only place to begin. We must begin. Engaging and turning toward our health and well-being is a way we can increase how we experience it. We ARE WORTH taking care of…in fact, we have a responsibility to it.

Reach to your resources, you’re not alone. You are worth giving attention to.

Lisa Engle

Widely known for her passion, dedication and commitment to supporting the expression of potential, Lisa is famous for inspiring patients, especially mothers. With nearly 3 decades of service in chiropractic, she easily communicates the value of wisdom within. Her experience has been used to create a safe, effective, and reflective coaching model for mothers without the judgement, comparison, and crippling overwhelm that often inhibits change for families. To learn more about Lisa's work and contact her, please poke around the website.

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